Device for removing snow.



` H. S. FARQUHAR. navlcE Fos nEMovmG snow.

APPLICATION FILED SEP?. H. i915. 1,266,930.

Patented May 21,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l. ZUG- I.

H. s. FARQUHAR. DEVICE ron nemovma sANow.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 13. 1915.

1 ,266,93.. Patented' May 21, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Inmwlor Henry Fazuax;

7 www H. S. FARQUHAR. DEVICE FOR EEMGVING SNOW. APPLlcATloN man SEPT. 13. 191s.

1,266,930; mama May 21,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

HENRY S. FARQUHAR, F WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

DEvfcE non namovve SNOW.

i `Specitmaticn of Letters Patent.

Patented Mav 21. 1918.

Application led Septemlier 13, 1915. Serial No. 50,345.

i To all whom 'it may concern.'

' e it known that I, HENRY S. FARQUHAR, of fiVayne, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain n/elw and ,.useful Improvements in Devices forfRemoving Snow,'whereof the following isa specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. y

fInsaid drawings, I have illustrated the particular grou of devices which forms the immediate subject of this application, in connection with other elements appropriate for an organized system or method (also of my invention), for removing snow from thoroughfares. While such general system is not claimed herein, I do not, by describing it, abandon my right thereto, but: reserve it for a separat'e application.

Broadly speaking said system involves the use of a motor-driven, snow-collecting vehicle, provided with means for gathering the Isnow from the path in which it progresses, elevating it to a convenient height, transferring and delivering it. preferably later ally, in comjunction with a plurality of transporting vehicles traveling side by side with the first mentioned one, at a ra somewhat in exces of the rate of travelthereof, and across th point of lateral discharge of the snow, so that each secondary or transporting `vehicle may be progressively filled i fronrendto end, after which it is run ahead and removed to a dumping' point, its place being/ taken by another` transporting vehicle. z The prese-nt application relates specilically to'ithe construction and mode of opcra tion of the snow-collecting vehicle and its `1-`,operative elements.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

40 Figure I, illustrates diagrammatically, ln

plan view, the positions and relative' arrangements of the snow-collecting vehicle and one of the trans orting vehicles.

Fig. II, being a si e elevation thereof, also 15 diagrammatic in 'its character.

Fig. III, is a view, in vertical fore and aft section. through that ortion of the snowcollecting vehicle whic l comprises the inain workingl parts.

Fig. lV, is a vertical transverse section through such vehicle, also showing in section a portion of the adjacent trans orting ve` hicle, the plaile of section and irection of view being indicated by the lines and arrows IV, 1V, in Fig. IIL

Figs. V, and VI, are vertical fore and aft and transverse sectional views showing a modified tyfpeof the elevating devices.

Fig. VII, is a top or plan view indicating a modified arrangement of the transferring delivering means.

Fig. VIII, is a fore and af sectional view lndicating another modified type of elevating` devices.

igs. IXJ and X, being, respectively, a partial section, and a side view of details of the type of device shown in Fi VIII.

Referring now to the embo iment of the invention shown in Figs. I, II, III, and IV,

a conventionally represented motor vehicle 1, driven by means, such as an electric motor,

in the casing 2, is adapted to travel in parallel relation to a transporting vehicle, ndicated at 3, and there conventionally represented as a box car, traveling upon a rall- Way track.

The gathering, elevating and discharging devices of the vehicle l, are mounted in an extension frame shown at 5, in Figs. I, and II, said frame being open at the bottom and lower portion of the front end, and carrying preferably a seat 6, for the driver of the vehicle in a convenient position to control the steering gear which is conventionally indicated in Fig. I. l

The sid/es of the frame 5, are closed by substantially vertical plates 4, which form the sides of a snow gathering element, or scoop, whose bottom and back are formed by the approximately semicylindrical plate 7,190r shown iu dol ted lines in Fig. I, and in sec- 'c tion in, Fig. III. 'The lower edge of the scoop is arranged at a short distance above the street level.

Coperatirig with this scoop are elevating and transferring devices mounted and con| structed as follows:

Iairs of uprights 8, 8, applied upon the i outside surfaces of the sides/t, 4, afford housings for blocks 12, and 13, rigidl mounted therein, said blocks respective y having. squared horizontal holes to receive the correspondingly squared end portions 14, and 15, of stub bearings 16, and 17, extending for some distance inward.

The stub bearing 16, is preferably hollow, to form a duct connected with the branch pipe 18, of a conduit 9, and opening at the inner end of vthe stub bearing 16. Steam or hot air may be supplied to the conduit 9,

from any convenient source carried upon the vehicle 1.

Rotatively mounted upon the stub bearings 1G, and 17, and immediately adjacent to the blocks 1.2. and 13, are two larve metallic disks 26, and 27, respectively, w ich form the ends of a rotating drum having a cylndrical periphery 25. The radial extent of the drum thus formed is considerably less than the radius of the curved bottom and back portion 7, of the scoop, so as to leave an interspace, the periphery ot' the drum constituting, together with the back and sides of the scoop, an inclosed ascending channel. In the illustration here given the curvature of the drums periphery is sub` stantially concentric with the curvature of the bottom and back of the scoop, but, I do not; limit myself to this embodiment. 'lhe periphery 25, of the drum is slotted atl intervals in a direction parallel willi its axis, the muuber ol slots in this instance being eight and the locations thereof being indicated by the numerals 3D. to 3i'. both inclusive. A\.t the edges of the slots the metal is reinforced by angle irons such as those indicated at 25S. and 39, in connection with the slot 31, and represented, but without numerals, at the other slots.

At the inner ends of the stublieariugs 16, and 17, downwardly depending blocks 20 and 21, respectively, are rigidly attached thereto, said blocks being provided with horizontal openings to receive a rod 0" which extends parallel to the axis of the drum, but at a substantial distance therefrom.

Said rod 22, carries a number ol' snowpnshiug elements, )refcrably scraper-blades, or flights, rotata ily mounted thereon and constructed and arranged as follows:

fithin each of the slots'30, to 37. in the drun1`s periphery, is arranged an elongated metallic plate fitting freely within the slots,` and eli-extensive therewith in length, said plates` which constitute the llights. are indicated by the nulnerals 130 to 137 both inelusive` the respective numerals ol.' the slots heilig thus raised by 10() to indicate the corresponding flights.

Said flights are mounted upon the outer extremities of arms` supported for free rotation upon the rod 22, and as all ol the` arms are similar. except in the position of the points` of attaclnnent to their respm'tivc flights. it will only be necessary to describe one pair thereof.

'.lhus. the flight 130. which is the uppermost one in Fig. lll. is provided with the arms 40. and 41. which extend radially in ward bevond the rod 2Q. elongated openings 42. and 43. beingl formed near the inner extremities ot' the arms to receive said rod freely. and also to permit a limited radial` play with relation thereto` suflicieut under ordinary circumstances. to enable the flight b v shifting radially inward, to clear any obstacle that it may encounter in operation, and which it is incapable ot' removing.

As will be seen in the sectional view in Fig. IV, the arms 40, and 41, are arranged unsynnnctrically to the longitudinal dimensions of the flight 130. The arms 47, and 18, which support the flight 137, next in rear of the flight 130, are arranged at the same distance apart as the arms 40, and ll, but in staggered relation thereto,.and the intervening pairs of arms (not indicated by numerals), are similarly staggered, as show in Fig. IV.

It will be noted that it' the drum 25, be rotated upon the axis of the stub shafts 16, and 17, such rotation will compel the rotation of the flights 130. to 137, upon the axis afforded b v the rod 22. but as this axis is eccentric to the axis ol' the drum, the circular paths described by the flights` will be eccentric to the circle of the dru|n`s periphery, and, consequently said flights will be progressively prot rnded beyond the outer surface thereof', throughout one-half' ot' a. revolution and then progressively retracted throughout the remainin half. Referring to Fig. III, it will be noted that the flight 130, which is there at its highest vertical point, is retracted to its innermost position, so that its edge is flush with, or slightly within` the outer edges of the slot 30: the flight 131. is slightly protruded outward, the flights 132, and 133, being progressively more and more protruded as the)y descend, until the lowest vertical position is reached, where the flight 131, is protruded radially to its full extent. The continued rotation f'rom that' point progressively retracts the flights, as indicated, until the position of the one shown at 130, is again reached.

The drum is positively driven by means of a lsprocket wheel 24. mounted upon the exterior side of the disk 2G, power being applied to said sprocket by means ot' a chain (S0. driven from a motor-actinlted shaft 61.

At the top of the device a conduit 50, is provided, communicating freely with the upper extremity of the ascending channel, between the scoop and the periphery 25, of

the drum, hut also having a surface. or wallr 53,:1( what may be terna-d the fauside ol" the region ot' connnunication, in close proximity to the periphery 25, of the drum. Said eonduit is extended for some distagce laterally beyond the. side of the vehicle l, and is provided iu this instance with a screw conveyer 5l, mounted upon the shaft 52. which is preferably hollow to admit a heated medium through the branch pipe lfhfrom the main ll. Said shaft 52, is driven hy means ot' a sprocket wheel 54, and chain G2, actuated l'rom the shaft Gl. lt will be noted that the radial extent ol' the disk Q6. is of sullicient extent to shield the sprocket wheels 24, and

54 from snow elevated into the trough 50.

` lIhe preferred mode of operation of the device 1n the embodiment just described is as follows: y

Assuming that it is to be used upon a '.highway occupied in part by a railway track, the snow is first swept from said track to one side, by means such as the rotating snow sweepers employed upon street railways. Ordinarily also in the case of a city street, the snow thus iled to one side of the track, is augmentedlliy that shoveled from pavements, so that a considerable body of snow is accumulated.

The vehicle 1, is driven alongside of the track at such a distance therefrom as will permit the end of the conduit 50, to overhang the side of the transporting ear 3, which is run upon the track side by side with the vehicle 1, but at a slightly greater rate of speed.

As the vehicle 1, progresses, the lower edge 7, of the scoop engages with the snow, close to the level of the ground, and thus gathers it; the'rotating flightsV positively push the snow into and up within the scoop, ultimately elevating it to the level of the conduit 50, where it is carried offl laterally by the conveyer 51, and deposited along the transporting car until the latter is filled from end to end, whereupon said ear is removed and replaced by another.

It will be noted that the Hight 13-1,`which is represent/ed at the bottom o the drum at that point ofits rotation, is rotruded t0 its greatest extent, and there ore, engages the snow throughout practically the whole depth of the flight. Although the flights in their rotative ascent are retracted inwardly, they assist the' elevation of the snow throughout a considerable portion of the ascending are, but apart from this, the progressive accumulation of the snow in the scoop results in its being continuously elevated andv delivered.

By the time each flight reaches the point of its juxtaposition with the screw conveyer, it has been retracted radially inward so as to completely clear the latter, as well as the far side 53, of the conduit 50.

'lhe play afforded to the flight-supporting arms, by reason of their slotted engagement with the rod 22, permits the flights, during tlwirrotation. to move radially inward, in case they encounter an obstacle.

Referring now to the modified type of ele veiling device .shown is not necessary to describe the general organization and relation to the other parts, since they may be, and in this instance. are, similar to that just set forth in detail. The variation iii this instance resides wholly in the character and mounting oi' the flights. The slotted x drum, (in this instance indiin Figs. V, and VI. itl

cated by the numeral 65) rests upon the stationary stub bearings 66, and 67, whose inner extremities carry downwardly depending blocks 68, and 69, in which is rigidly mounted the rod 70, whose axis is parallel to that of the stub bearings 66, and 67, but at a substantial distance below the same. A pair of disks 71, 72, having hubs, as shown. are rotatively mounted thereon. The arms 73, and 74, of the fiight 75, are mounted upon i.

stubs 76, and 77, play in a radial direction,

for clearingy ordinary obstacles being afforded by elongating the apertures in the inner extremities of said arms through which the rod 7 ,Qa passes. The flight 75, is riveted or otherwise secured t0 its arms.

As the arrangement of the remaining flights and their respective arms' is similar to that just described, it is not deemed necesary to repeat it in connection with each thereof.

Between two of the slots provided for the respective flights 75, etc., openings such as'` that indicated at 78, are periphery of the drum, at points corresponding with the axial positions of the disks 71, and 72, and bars, such as 81, whose outer =ends move freely in said openings, are attached to the disks 71, and 72, (as indicated at S2, in the case of the disk 71), so that said disks are positively rotated upon the axis afforded by the rod 70, and thus cause the rotary movement of the drum.

Since said rod 81, is free to move radially inward 'and outward in the slot 78, the rotation of the disks upon an axis 'eccentric' to that of the drum is permitted, and said rod is itself retracted inwardly during the upper part ofV the are of rotation so as to clear the lcrew-conveyer, and the far wall of the con- Referring now to the `modified type of-de vice shown in Figs. VII, VIII, IX, and X, the features of difference relate both to the snow delivering devices and to the construction of the flights and their carriers; B reference to the upper portion of Fig. VII it will be seen that no screv-conveyer is employed, but that the end 85, of the ascending passageway between the drinn' 86,and rear surface 87, of the scoop. conintunicates Vwith a wide. opcntopg`decptrou h, whose The arms of the flights, instead of being formed through the flights to travel in proper relation to the only slightly in excess of the radius in length, are extended diametrically as indicated at Fig. X, where it will be noted that the arm 92, carries at its respective extremities the Hights 93, and 94, secured against oppositely-facing, recessed extremities of the arm, the central region of the arm being provided with elongated slot 95, having rounded ends adapted to engage freely with the rod 91. The longitudinal extent of these slots corresponds to the proper range of protusion and retraction of the flights carried thereby. I

Hence, when the drum 86, is rotated, the flights will be actuated in the manner hereinbefore described, their paths of movement, with relation to the path of movement of the periphery of the drum, being the equivalent of that attained in the case of the device previously described by eccentric mounting of their axis of rotation.

Ordinarily in this type of carrier device, gravit)7 would be sufficient to effect the dcscribed radial movement of the flights, but to insure their retraction, I may provide a cam-piece or pieces, such as that shown at 96, curving inward eccentrically, to the periphery of the drum during the upper region of its arc of rotative ascent, so that the flights will be forced positively inward, as their outer edges move along said cam piece 96. The elevation of the snow is effected in the same manner as that previously described, but its lateral delivery is attained Without the use of a screw-convcyer, by reason of the fact that the transferring I conduit is of considerable depth and as the snow accumulates therein, it is pushed by the increments delivered from the elevating devices, so as to travel along the conduit.

The use of steam or other hot medium admitted to the interior of the drum and to the shaft of the conveyor, as above dcscribed, is not intended for the primary purpose of actually melting the Whole body of snow but may be found useful if employed only to an extent suicient to prevent clogging of the moving parts by freezing of water thereon.

Having thus described my invention, I desire to state that I do not claim broadly the use of a series of traveling pushing devices, either in themselves, or in conjunction with a scoop for the removal of snow. For instance, such devices have been suggested for use Where the characteristic feature of operation is the compression of the .snow into a bulk much smaller than that of its natural Size.

While compression is not inconsistent yform of the elevating devices and o Yshown as typical.

with the use of my present invention, my primary purpose is to pick up the snow in a loose condition, and, without the delay re quired for very substantial compression, to elevate and then transfer it away in a rapidly flowing stream of large volume to an adjacent point of delivery, preferably a. laterally located transporting car, as above stated. For this purpose the vanishin of the Hights as they approach the point w ere the transfer action commences, is a very important feature, and it will be noted from the above description that it may be accomplished in several Ways, which are mutually equivalent.

It will also be obvious that the sfpecific their mounting for traveling in path which is the equivalent of eccentric rotation with relation to the rotary movement of the drum, may be greatly varied, as indicated by the several different instances which I have I therefore do not desire to restrict my claim in this direction by close adherence to the details of the mechanism for producing such eccentric travel.

I claim:

In a snow-remover, the combination, with a vehicle; of a projecting scoop having a curved back and substantially vertical sides, a rotatable 'drum having its periphery arranged to form, in conjunction with the back and sides of the scoop, an ascending inclosed channel, the periphery of the drum being provided with transverse Slots; Stubbearings for said drum; a bearing rod mounted upon said stub-bearings at points within the drum, and extending axially across the drum in a direction parallel to, but substantially lower, than the axis of the stub-bearings; a plurality of pushing devices radially movable Within the slots of the drum; carriers for said pushing devices, having elongated openings of a diameter sufficient to afford true rotative engagement with said bearing rod, While permitting play in a radial direction; a transferring conduit having an opening communicating with the upper extremity of the ascending channel, but having a wall, at the far side of said opening, arranged in close prox1 imity to the periphery of the drum; and means for rotating said drum. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at'Philadelphiz., Pennsylvania, this eleventh day of September, 1915.

HENRY S. FARQUHAR. Witnesses:

JAMES I-I, BELL, E. L. FULLERTON. 

